A great season for seeing giant whales

2018 06-12 SB Channel

With a glassy ocean surface and hazy skies, Captain Dave and his crew got into the giant whales hot spot again today. Closely watched species included 3 blue whales, 2 fin whales and 1,000 long-beaked common dolphins. As a reminder, blue whales and fin whales are (in that order) the largest animals that ever lived on Earth. This is a great season for seeing giant whales.

The action got started out in The Lanes, adjacent to the eastern portion of beautiful Santa Cruz Island, when a mega pod of dolphins located the Condor Express. These (comparatively) little cetaceans stretched out in a very long line, in deep blue water, and were extremely cooperative as their fan club got great looks of them and wonderful selfies.

Soon after the dolphin encounter, the giants appeared. There were tall spouts all over the zone, and we first encountered the blue whales. A large adult blue was found spending long intervals logging on the surface. This beast came close to the boat several times during this logging behavior. Next, a pair of whales was located. This turned out to be a mother blue whale with her little (35-foot) calf. After diving together, the two came up separated, and the youngster made a bee-line to mom every time.

Although in the same region, the next sighting was of fin whales. First a large whale with a large dorsal fin appeared. Next, a slightly smaller whale was watched.

You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com